Review: Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac

The top shelf bottling of the Bache-Gabrielsen lineup, here’s a cognac that’s worth its fancy bottle, its wire-sealed lid, and its wooden box.

This pure Grande Champagne cognac includes spirits that date back to 1917 — the youngest was distilled in 1960. That’s 49 years old at least, and it’s obvious once you pour the first glass. The nose is delicate and rich, full of honey, berries, and light wood notes.

On the palate those flavors are amplified, with a light raspberry character atop silky vanilla, butterscotch, and very light chocolate notes. Some spices — cinnamon and nutmeg — come into play in the finish, as the fruit comes back strong for a long farewell. Lovely.

This cognac, 80 proof, is almost unbearably easy-drinking. Glass after glass goes down with such little fuss that a bottle quickly disappears. Visitors to Drinkhacker HQ regularly refer to it as “the $400 cognac” and tap a foot, waiting for a glass to be poured.

There are TWO versions of this. One uses much younger eau de vie and costs in the $200-$250 range. I managed to find a website that had BOTH versions at the same price so I lucked out, and yes, I got the older cognac for around $200.